Lilleshall House became the Shropshire seat of the Leveson-Gower family once it was completed in 1829. It was sold by the 5th Duke of Sutherland in 1917 as part of the core of the wider Lilleshall Estate. During the 30s the grounds were opened to the public, with attractions including an amusement park, miniature railway, and access to the ruins of Lilleshall Abbey. During the Second World War, the building and grounds were used for the evacuated Cheltenham’s Ladies College and then Dr Barnado’s. After the war, they were bought by the government and used for a series of sporting centres, and since 1999 is has been owned by Sport England and used for elite athletes.
